Lighting fixture diffuser assembly



Aug.,18, l970 s. AUERBACH 3,524,981

I LIGHTING FIXTURE DIFFUSER ASSEMBLY Filed June 5,. 1968 INVENTORSEYMOUR AUERBACH BY MU 9% ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,524,981LIGHTING FIXTURE DIFFUSER ASSEMBLY Seymour Auerhach, 115 Hesketh St.,Chevy Chase, Md. 20015 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No.568,236,

July 27, 1966, now Patent No. 3,388,248. This application June 3, 1968,Ser. No. 734,097

Int. Cl. F21v 17/06 US. Cl. 240-128 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThe lighting fixture diffuser assembly includes an annular supportmember adapted for adhesive securement to a wall or ceiling surfaceabout and independently of a light fixture. Radially inwardly extendingfingers are carried by the support member to center the latter about thelight fixture. A plurality of lugs depend from the support member andhave inclined cam surfaces. A diffuser has an inwardly directed flangeadjacent its open end with a plurality of openings formed therethrough.To releasably secure the diffuser to the support member, the diffuser islocated in juxtaposition with the support member such that the lugs arereceived through the openings. The diffuser is then rotated with themarginal portions of the flange adjacent the openings bearing on theinclined cam surfaces to draw the diffuser toward the support member andfinal securement in surrounding or enveloping relation about the supportmember and the light fixture.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applicationSer. No. 568,236 filed July 27, 1966, now Pat. No. 3,388,248.

The present invention relates to lighting fixtures and particularlyrelates to an improved lighting fixture diffuser assembly of the typewherein a diffuser is releasably secured to a wall or ceiling surfaceabout and independently of alight fixture.

Conventional light fixtures are usually permanently mounted to a wall orceiling surface and the diffusers therefor are normally removablysecured directly to the fixture. Individuals wishing to remodel orrenovate their homes, apartments or the like, and desiring to replace anoutmoded, outdated and usually unfashionable diffuser provided yearspreviously with a new and more aesthetically pleasing diffuser mustcurrently either replace the entire light fixture or attempt to secure anew diffuser to the old fixture (my above-identified patent excepted).Practically speaking, new diffusers are not manufactured or readilyadaptable for connection to older light fixtures, such as thecommonplace white ceramic fixture and are generally incompatibletherewith. As a result, the entire fixture must usually be replaced.This entails rewiring as well as refinishing the wall surfacesurrounding the fix-ture which is often disrupted when rewiring andreplacing the old fixture with the new fixture, all of which tends toincrease the difficulty and cost of replacing an older diffuser orproviding a diffuser where there previously was none. Moreover, it isvirtually impossible to adapt a new diffuser to an old fixture in amanner which would completely hide the old fixture from view even apartfrom the above-noted problems of securing the new diffuser to the oldfixture. Thus aesthetic as well as practical considerations play animportant part in the provision of a new diffuser.

Apart from the foregoing, the quick and ready disassembly of thediffuser from about the light fixture for the purpose of replacingburned out bulbs, cleaning, etc., and its rapid reattachment about thelighting fixture are also critical considerations as well as desirablefeatures. Conventional diffusers are often secured directly to the lightfixtures by three or more screws which thread through a portion of thefixture and engage a rim on the diffuser. This manner of attachment issomewhat awkward and cumbersome and there is always the possibility ofdropping the diffuser while simultaneously manipulating the diffuser andthreading the screws into supporting engagement therewith. Additionally,these conventional securing methods usually do not permit the diffuserto completely encompass and surround the light fixture and hide it fromview whereby the aesthetic characteristics of the lighting fixtureassembly are somewhat limited and diminished in this respect.

In my above-identified patent, there is disclosed a support ring whichis attachable to the wall or ceiling surface about the light fixture andwhich mounts a pair of button type fasteners. At least three radiallyinwardly directed fingers having suitable indicia thereon are pro videdfor the purpose of centering the support ring about light fixtures ofvarious diameters. A diffuser is provided having an inwardly directedflange carrying a plurality of key slots whereby the diffuser is locatedsuch that the button fasteners enter the key slots. Rotation of thediffuser thus releasably secures the latter to the support ring. Thediffuser is formed to hide the support ring fiom view. While this hasproven an eminently satisfactory type of lighting fixture assembly andhas solved many of the foregoing problems, the present inventionfeatures an improved method of attachment between the support mem berand diffuser.

The present invention provides a support member which is attachable to awall or ceiling surface about and independently of a light fixture. Thesupport member is preferably formed of a plastic material and has aplurality of lugs projecting therefrom. The lugs are substantiallyL-shaped and the base portion of each lug has a cam surface spaced fromand inclined relative to the support member. A diffuser is provided andhas an inwardly directed flange which is spaced slightly inwardly of theopen end of the diffuser. A plurality of openings are formed through theflange at like circumferential positions thereabout as the lugs arespaced about the support member. When attaching the diffuser to thesupport member, the diffuser is disposed opposite the support member sothat the lugs are received through the openings in the diffuser flange.Initial rotation of the diffuser relative to the support member causesthe marginal portions of the flange about the openings to bear on theinclined cam surfaces of the lugs whereby continued rotation of thediffuser draws the diffuser toward the support member to a frictionallocking position therewith. By spacing the flange inwardly of the opendiffuser end, a lip is formed about the diffuser end. When the diffuseris finally secured to the support member, the lip surrounds the supportmember and lies in close juxtaposition to the Wall or ceiling surfacewhereby the diffuser fully encompasses or envelops the support memberand the light fixture. In another form hereof, the support member isformed of sheet metal and the lugs are punched therefrom and bent toform the inclined cam surfaces.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providean improved lighting fixture diffuser assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedlighting fixture diffuser assembly having a support member attachable tothe wall or ceiling surface about and independently of the light fixtureand wherein the diffuser therefor is releasably attachable to thesupport member in a simple and eflicient manner.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved lighting fixture diffuser assembly having the foregoingcharacteristics wherein the diffuser is cammed into a supported positionby lugs formed on the support member.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide an improvedlighting fixture diffuser assembly having the foregoing characteristicsand including a diffuser support member formed to facilitate centeringof the support memher and hence the diffuser about the light fixture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedlighting fixture diffuser assembly wherein the diffuser is readilymechanically connected with the support member with the latter and thediffuser being formed and cooperating in a manner as to virtually blockthe support member and light fixture from view exteriorly of theassembly.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide an improvedlighting fixture diffuser assembly which is simple and economical tomanufacture.

These and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reference to the following specification,claims and appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting diffuser fixtureassembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary, cross-sectional view thereofillustrating the support member and diffuser prior to their attachment;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view thereofillustrating the diffuser and the support member therefor in attachedrelation;

FIG. 4 is a reduced fragmentary, cross-sectional view thereof takenabout on line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a reduced longitudinal sectional view thereof taken about online 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken about on line 66 of FIG.3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of another form of diffusersupport member and its associated connecting means; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view therof taken about on line 88 in FIG.7.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is showna light fixture generally indicated at 10 comprising a light bulb 12 anda socket or base 14 for receiving bulb 12, the base 14 having suitableelectrical connections, not shown, and being secured in the usualfashion to a wall or ceiling surface S. The base 14 may comprise, forexample, a white ceramic light socket of conventional construction andit will be understood that the light fixture 10 may comprise any type ofexisting light fixture or may comprise an entirely new fixture as thediffuser assembly hereof may be employed with existing or new lightfixtures. Surrounding the lighting fixture 10, there is illustrated adiffuser support member generally indicated at 16 and a generallycylindrical diffuser indicated at 18 which is adapted to be secured tosupport member 16.

Diffuser support member 16 preferably comprises an annulus 19 which maybe formed of a suitable plastic material although it will be understoodthat support member 16 may be other than circular in shape and may beformed of other materials. Support member 19 carries a plurality ofradially inwardly directed fingers 20. Fingers 20 are similar to thecentralizing fingers disclosed in my above-identified copendingapplication and are provided to center the support and hence thediffuser about the light fixture. Prior to installation, fingers 20extend inwardly almost to the center of support annulus 19. Suitableindicia is provided on fingers 20 in the form of scribe lines whichindicate various diameters on annulus 19 such that when it is secured tothe wall or ceiling surface S about fixture 10, the fingers 20 may becut to a diameter at least equal to and preferably slightly greater thanthe diameter of the base 14 of fixture 10 whereby support annulus 19 maybe centered in coaxial relation about fixture 10.

Depending from the lower side of support member 16, there are provided aplurality of L-shaped lugs 22 having vertical and arouate inner Wallportions 24 and outwardly projecting lower legs or Wedge-like portions26. Lugs 22 are preferably formed integrally with support annulus 19. Asbest illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the upper surfaces of leg orwedge portions 26 are upwardly inclined and form cam surfaces 28 forreasons as will presently become clear. The opposite face of annulus 19may be precoated with an adhesive 30 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and provided with arelease paper, not shown, whereby support member 16 can be readilysecured about fixture 10, after peeling off the release paper, bypressing annulus 19 against surface S. Alternatively, any suitable typeof adhesive could be applied to annulus 19 at the time of installationor other suitable securing means could be provided.

Diffuser 18 preferably comprises a generally cylindrical member 32having a closed or open lower end as desired and an open upper end.Diffuser 18 is formed of a translucent material. A preferably integrallyand radially inwardly extending flange 34 is formed about thecylindrical portion of diffuser 18 and, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, isspaced slightly inwardly of the edge or lip 36 of diffuser 18. Aplurality of openings or slots 38 are formed through flange 34 atcircumferential positions thereabout corresponding to thecircumferential positions of lugs 22 about support member 16.

To secure the present lighting fixture diffuser assembly about anexisting or new lighting fixture, the fingers 20 are cut to apredetermined diameter at least equal to and preferably slightly greaterthan the diameter of the light fixture, for example, the diameter ofceramic base 14. The adhesive covering release paper, not shown, is thenremoved or adhesive is applied to the upper face of the annulus 19 asthe case may be and the support member is pressed against the surface Swith the fingers 20 locating it in coaxial relation about fixture 14.Diffuser 18 is then located below support member 16 with the lugs 22 andopenings 38 lying in registry, one with the other, such that movement ofdiffuser 18 toward the surface S locates the lower legs 26 of lugs 22within the diffuser 18 below flange 34. By rotating diffuser 18 relativeto support member 16 in a clockwise direction, as seen from below theassembly in FIG. 1, or in a counterclockwise as seen from above in FIGS.4 and 5, the marginal undersurface portions of flange 34 about openings38, which comprise cam follower portions, engage the upper cam surfaces28 of lugs 22. Continued rotation of diffuser 18 relative to supportmember 16 cams diffuser 18 toward surface S until flange 34 forms afriction fit or lock with cam surface 28 and the undersurface of annulus19. It will of course be appreciated that a positive lock can beprovided, for example in the form of a cooperating dimple and recessprovided on the flange and lug surfaces or on the flange and annularsurfaces. With the diffuser thus secured to the support member 16 asseen in FIG. 3, it would be noted that lip 36 is slightly spaced fromsurface S and extends about the periphery of annulus 18 such that itblocks the latter from view exteriorally of the diffuser assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown a support member 16aconsisting of an annulus 19a similar to the annulus 19 of the previousform but which may preferably be comprised of a sheet metal material.Other materials, such as plastics, may be employed. In this form, an L-shaped lug 22a may be punched or otherwise formed from annulus 19a withthe leg portion 26a thereof being bent upwardly to form an inclined camsurface 28a similarly as the cam surface 28 of the previous embodiment.The diffuser employed with the support member of this form is identicalto the diffuser of the previous form and is similarly attached tosupport member 16a. Specifically, the diffuser 18 may be disposed belowannulus 19a with the lugs 22a lying in registry with openings 38.Movement of diffuser 18 toward support member 16a thus locates the lowerleg 26a of lug 2211 within the diffuser and below flange 34 wherebyrotation of the diffuser relative to support member 16a cams thediffuser upwardly into frictional locking engagement therewith.

It is thus seen that the objects of my invention are fully accomplishedin that there is provided an improved lighting fixture diffuser assemblyhaving a support member which is secured to a ceiling or wall surfaceabout and independently of a light fixture. Moreover, there is provideda diffuser which is readily and easily removably attached to the supportmember by slight rotation of the diffuser relative to the supportmember. Additionally, it is significant that in both forms of thepresent invention, the diffuser, when secured to the support member,completely hides or blocks the latter as well as the light fixture fromview exteriorly of the diffuser assembly.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. A diffuser assembly for perimetrically surrounding or enveloping alight fixture mounted adjacent a flat surface comprising a diffusersupport member having a central opening therethrough and attachable tothe flat surface perimetrically about and independently of the lightfixture, a diffuser, and cooperative securement means on the diffusersupport member and diffuser for removably securing the diffuser to thesupport member for mounting the diffuser in a surrounding or envelopingrelation about the light fixture, said securing means including a camsurface on one of said diffuser support member and diffuser and a camfollower on the other of said diffuser support member and diffuser, saidcam and cam follower cooperating to displace said diffuser toward saidsupport member in response to rotation of said diffuser relative to saidsupport member.

2. A diffuser assembly according to claim 1 wherein said diffusersupport member projects outwardly of the flat surface, said diffuserhaving a portion extending about the perimeter of said diffuser supportmember whereby said diffuser surrounds said diffuser support member andblocks the latter from view exteriorly of the diffuser assembly.

3. A diffuser assembly according to claim 1 wherein said cooperativesecurement means includes a plurality of lugs projecting from saidsupport member at predetermined spaced positions thereabout and havingupwardly inclined surfaces thereon, said diffuser having a radiallyinwardly directed flange and a plurality of openings formed at likespaced positions thereabout as said lugs are spaced about said supportmember to receive said lugs, the portions of said flange adjacent saidopenings bearing against the inclined surfaces of said lugs when saiddiffuser is rotated relative to said support member.

4. A diffuser assembly according to claim 1 including means carried bysaid diffuser support member for centralizing said member about thelight fixture.

5. A diffuser assembly according to claim 4 wherein said diffusersupport member comprises an annulus, said centralizing means includingindicia means on said member.

'6. A diffuser assembly according to claim 5 wherein said diffusersupport member includes a plurality of equiangularly spaced, radiallyinwardly directed, centralizing fingers, said fingers having saidindicia means thereon for facilitating removal of equal length segmentsfrom each finger whereby said diffuser support annulus may becentralized about lighting fixtures having bases of differing diameters.

7. A diffuser assembly according to claim 1 wherein said diffuser has amarginal portion extending about the outer perimeter of said diffusersupport member, whereby said diffuser surrounds said diffuser supportmember and blocks the latter from view exteriorly of the diffuserassembly.

8'. A diffuser assembly according to claim 7, wherein said diffusersupport member comprises an annulus lying substantially in a planeextending substantially parallel to the flat surface and closelyadjacent thereto, adhesive material on one face of said annulus, saidone face being presentable toward and against the flat surface to securesaid annulus to the flat surface.

9. A diffuser assembly according to claim 1 in combination with alighting fixture mounting a light source, said support member lyingbetween the flat surface and a plane extending in spaced parallelrelation to the flat surface and through said light source.

10. A diffuser assembly for perimetrically surrounding or enveloping alight fixture mounted adjacent a flat surface comprising a diffusersupport member having a cen-- tral opening therethrough and attachableto the flat surface perimetrically about and independently of the lightfixture, a diffuser, and cooperative securement means on the diffusersupport member and diffuser for removably securing the diffuser to thesupport member for mounting the diffuser in a surrounding or envelopingrelation about the light fixture, said securing means including a camsurface on one of said diffuser support member and diffuser and a camfollower on the other of said diffuser support member and diffuser, saidcam and cam follower cooperating to displace said diffuser toward saidsupport member in response to rotation of said diffuser relative to saidsupport member, said diffuser sup port member comprising essentially athin strip of material mounting a portion of said cooperative securementmeans thereon.

11. A diffuser assembly according to claim 10 wherein said diffusersupport member is formed of sheet metal, said lugs being punched fromsaid sheet metal to project therefrom.

12. A diffuser assembly according to claim 10 wherein said diffuser hasan open end, said flange being spaced inwardly of said open end definingan end lip on said diffuser, said lip extending perimetrically aboutsaid support member to substantially surround said support member andblock the latter from view exteriorly of the diffuser assembly.

13. A light fixture assembly comprising a light fixture projectingoutwardly from a fiat surface, a light source carried by said lightfixture, a support member having an opening therethrough and attachableto the fiat surface perimetrically about and independently of saidlighting fixture, said support member lying between the surface and aplane extending in spaced parallel relation to the surface and throughsaid light source, a diffuser having an open end portion, cooperativesecurement means on said support member and the open end portion of saiddiffuser for removably securing said diffuser in a surrounding orenveloping relation about said light source, said securing meansincluding a wedge shaped member on one of said support member and saiddiffuser and a cooperating portion on the other of said diffuser supportmember and diffuser engageable with said Wedge shaped member, said wedgeshaped member and said cooperating portion being arranged to displacesaid diffuser towards said support member and into final securementtherewith in response to rotation of said diffuser relative to saidsupport member.

14. A light fixture assembly according to claim 13 wherein said diffusersupport member comprises substantially a thin strip of material carryingsaid wedge shaped member.

15-. A light fixture assembly according to claim 13 wherein saiddiffuser has a marginal portion extending 7 about the outer perimeter ofsaid diffuser support member, whereby said diffuser surrounds saiddiffuser support member and blocks the latter from view exteriorly ofthe diffuser assembly.

16. A diffuser assembly for perimetrically surrounding or enveloping alight fixture mounted adjacent a flat surface comprising; a diffusersupport member having a central opening therethrough and attachable tothe fiat surface perimetrically about an independently of the lightfixture, a diffuser, cooperative securement means on the diffuser to thesupport member for mounting the diffuser in a surrounding or envelopingrelation about the light fixture, said securing means including anelement projecting from said support member and having a surfaceinclined toward the fiat surface, said diffuser having an elementengageable with the inclined surface on the element carried by thesupport member, said diffuser and support member elements cooperating todisplace said diffuser toward said support member and into finalsecurement therewith in response to rotation of said diffuser relativeto said support member, said diffuser having a marginal portionextending about the outer perimeter References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 149,153 3/1874 Poulson. 2,918,569 12/1959 McCormack 240-1282,965,750 12/1960 Baldwin 2408.2 3,247,369 4/1966 Nanny 240-78 NORTONANSHER, Primary Examiner R. L. MOSES, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.24078

